That just isn’t how Franklin Halves are graded. The bell lines have very little bearing in the numerical grade, that’s why they have the FBL (full bell lines) strike designation.
Exactly my point with my last post. The coin I posted was the first MS66+ CAC I found (first MS66 actually). Bell lines are beat up, mediocre eye appeal, and according to @PassthePuck, it couldn't have gotten higher then a 64. I was hoping to use that for educational purposes.
While this '53 is very attractive. I think it is overgraded. Nicks on the head and face, as well as a gash on the D on the reverse. It also looks to be tooled. See the 3 small triangles below the eagle on the reverse.
Who said TPG'ers never overgrade? But that wasn't the point of posting that coin. Other examples of incomplete bell lines in grades of 65 and up can readily be found from all TPG companies without having to search to hard. As for the 3 small triangles, are you saying those are evidence of tooling? If you are, (and please don't take this as an offensive comment), you need to re-evaluate your grading skills. Those are simply from getting smacked by another coin, most likely in the coin bag, and not evidence of tooling. I know that can be interpreted as an insult, but it's meant in a way for you to learn. I am in no way an expert, or even a skilled grader, but there are things that are repeated on many coins, and knowing what those things are, are helpful when looking at and grading a coin.
Thanks for the lesson. I didn't know that and they looked so perfect that they seemed intentionally put there.
I collect Franklins. No way would I have bought either of these. Basically zero eye appeal no matter what the grade is. I'd spend a little more money on a nicer looking coin even if it wasn't in Mint State.
Yes, those are bag marks. I have a mint state 1921 Morgan that has them on the reverse. Easy to tell that they are from contact with other coins.